Dining at the Port Security Pork Barrel Trickle Down Banquest

I noticed the above ad while perusing the Daily Breeze's front page this morning.

Regardless how you feel about the necessity or efficacy of "Homeland Security", I think the fact that you can get an AS Degree in Homeland Security online is lets you know just how well protected the country's biggest port is. I poked around online, and I was completely unable to even determine find descriptions of the vaguely titled courses (National Preparedness is my favourite - could something be more broadly described?) involved in getting one's education in homeland security.

One of the things I've noticed more recently is that I've seen more new companies with eagle/flag saturated logos, or better yet, supergraphic covered trucks delivering equipment, doing screening activities, etc... There seems to be a maturation in the pork barrel, homeland security industry that surrounds the post 9/11 Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Why couldn't the government choose to spend its dough promoting real theatre as opposed to security theatre?

The News

Some local news of interest.

1) From the Breeze - A $117 million cleanup of Machado Lake and the Wilmington Drain in the Harbor Area was approved Wednesday by the Los Angeles City Council as part of a sweeping package of citywide water quality improvement projects. There's also $6.1 million for improved drainage in Peck Park. That's Proposition O money at work. One question - couldn't someone come up with a better name than the "Wilmington Drain"?

2) Republican Presidential candidate/Senator John McCain & Der Governator made a staged public appearance in the Harbor yesterday. The theme was environmental issues, with McCain taking swipes at Bush's environmental policies.

Times Coverage

Breeze Coverage

3) Democratic Presidential candidate/Senator Barak Obama brought his Obamarama to LA yesterday (LA Times Coverage), and Jacob Soboroff got some tape of Janice Hahn at one of the events. This may be a dud news item, as I can't seem to get the video to properly load in any browser on this computer, and when I saw it yesterday, I didn't have speakers at my disposal, but here's the link anyways. If someone can find a better link - please put it in the comments.

4) Board of Education Candidates Forum. Don't forget there's an election on March 6. On February 24, from 2-3 PM, there will be a Candidates Forum for those vying to replace Mike Lansing's seat on the Board of Education. What are these guys all about? Find out on the 24th.

5) Lastly, a big reminder that the 28th is the last day to submit comments on what they're now calling the San Pedro Waterfront Project. You can submit comments via E-mail at ceqacomments@portla.org. Let them know what you think!

Mayor in Pedro today

Caught this item in today's LA Observed Morning Buzz:

The mayor will come out for Richard Vladovic in the race for the Board of Education's 7th district seat. Noon, outside the auditorium at San Pedro High School.

So if you feel like chilling out with the Mayor, you know where he'll be today.

Update:


check the comments for Banditos' bit on his visit to the new Harbor City Library today, and here's some Breeze-age on Antonio's endorsement.